Croatian graphic designer and illustrator Filip Peraić has created unique takes on the facial profile of Houston Rockets guard James Harden, naturally with a concentration at Harden’s famous beard. Peraić has already done design work for the likes of IBM, Mercedes Benz, ESPN and Wired Magazine, but the Harden designs are just a passion project. For Peraić, experimenting with ways to portray Harden is a way to exercise his craft. less

Croatian graphic designer and illustrator Filip Peraić has created unique takes on the facial profile of Houston Rockets guard James Harden, naturally with a concentration at Harden’s famous beard. Peraić ... more

Croatian graphic designer and illustrator Filip Peraić has created 11 unique takes on the facial profile of Houston Rockets guard James Harden, naturally with a concentration at Harden’s famous beard.

Why did Peraić, whose Harden work has been showcased by Slate and Sports Illustrated, pick the Rockets star for his “James Harden Illustrated” project? The Croatian artist’s hometown of Zadar is a big basketball city and the sport was reportedly taught to locals by Italian soldiers in World War II. Basketball culture is a big part of his life and Harden’s profile is quickly becoming one of the most recognized in the NBA.

Peraić, 25, has already done design work for the likes of IBM, Mercedes Benz, ESPN and Wired Magazine, but the Harden designs are just a passion project. You can check out his Harden work and non-Harden work on his official site. For Peraić, experimenting with ways to portray Harden is a way to exercise his craft.

“The process is quite important for me because that’s what this project is all about, a designer/illustrator experimenting with different approaches,” Peraić said by phone Thursday.

He’s not sure if Harden has seen the colorful, elaborate designs, even with national outlets showcasing his work. He would love for Harden to see the fruits of his labor. Some of the pieces have taken up to 10 hours to create, he says.

“I’m not sure what he would say, of course, but it would be nice knowing that this guy I spent dozens of hours drawing has seen it,” said Peraić. “In any case, I plan to continue to work on this project.”

The artist plans on making even more Harden illustrations, and wouldn’t mind releasing a book in the future once he has a larger Harden portfolio.